Wednesday, January 19, 2011

...the pacman's magic continues

Pacquiao is Sportsman of the Year: poll

Posted at 01/19/2011

MANILA, Philippines – Eight division-champion Manny Pacquiao was chosen as 2010 Sportsman of the Year in an online poll conducted by Abu Dhabi-based sports daily, Sport360°.

Pacquiao, who is also nominated in the World Sportsman of Year accolade at the 2011 Laureus World Sports Award, outpointed other international sports stars in the online poll.

“Pacquiao garnered 57% of the total votes and saw off a number of stiff challengers, including legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel, who came in second and third respectively,” said Sport360°’s Web Editor, Chris McHardy.

Filipinos residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) expressed pride over their compatriot's award.

Sport360° reader Reimond De Leon called Pacquiao “The Eighth Wonder of the World,” after he became the first 8-division world champion in boxing history with his win over Mexican Antonio Margarito last November.

“Pacquiao is quite simply a phenomenon and thoroughly deserves our inaugural Sportsman of the Year title,” added McHardy.

Pacquiao, regarded by the Boxing Writers Association of America as the Fighter of the Decade, was also recently voted in an online poll as Ring Magazine’s 2010 Fighter of the Year.

The pound-for-pound king is set to face former welterweight champion “Sugar” Shane Mosley on May 7.

Other Sport360° winners

Other sterling athletes who made it to the Sport360° shortlist were:
  • Lee Westwood, who ended Tiger Woods’ incredible 281-week stay as the world’s number one golfer;
  • Martin Kaymer, who won his maiden Major at the USPGA Championship and claimed the European No.1 spot;
  • Rafael Nadal, who added three Grand Slam titles in 2010 and reclaimed the number one spot from Roger Federer;
  • Barcelona’s FIFA World Player of the Year Lionel Messi, and his Barcelona team-mates Xavi and Andres Iniesta, the dynamic duo instrumental in Spain’s first ever World Cup triumph;
  • Drew Brees, the quarterback star who guided the New Orleans Saints to their first ever Super Bowl triumph with a 31-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts;
  • Tim Lincecum, starting pitcher for the San Francisco Giants, who played a pivotal role in helping them claim a 4-1 success over the Texas Rangers in the World Series.
  • Kobe Bryant, who secured his fifth championship ring as LA Lakers swept Boston Celtics in last year’s NBA finals;
  • Sidney Crosby - touted as the finest National Hockey League (NHL) player of his generation - who inspired Canada to a gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, and horse racing champion Tony McCoy.
The awarding ceremony will be held in Abu Dhabi on February 7. – With a report from Angel L. Tesorero

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